Culture
돌잔치 & birthdays
First birthdays are bigger than weddings. Seriously.
돌잔치 = first birthday party, a national institution. The baby grabs an object (돌잡이) that predicts their future: money, thread (long life), stethoscope (doctor).
Korean age used to count newborns as one — two on New Year's. The 2023 law fixed official ages, but families still fight about 만 나이 vs 세는 나이.
Birthdays mean 미역국 (seaweed soup) — honoring your mother. Birthdays also mean buying cake for the office. Both are mandatory.
Say these
생일 축하해요!
saengil chukhahaeyo
Happy birthday!
돌잔치에 가요.
doljanchie gayo
I'm going to a first-birthday party.
미역국 먹었어요?
miyeokguk meogeosseoyo
Did you eat seaweed soup (on your birthday)?
한국 나이로 몇 살이에요?
hanguk nairo myeot sarieyo
How old are you in Korean age?
Check
Why do Koreans eat seaweed soup on birthdays?
Say: Happy birthday!